In addition to answering technical design questions and debating the latest techniques in plumbing engineering, our experts on ASPE Connect also like to engage in fun, interesting conversations about the profession.
In a recent discussion thread, James Tullis, a Building Plans Examiner for the County of Monterey, California, asked others to say how long they had been in the plumbing engineering business using only clues, not dates. Following are some of the responses from our experts. Can you guess when they started in the business? To reply or add your own story, visit the discussion thread.
- How are we ever going to use a Tandy TRS-80 in plumbing design? It does not even understand what a pipe is.
- Since 3-gpf toilets were allowed!
- When I started out, someone would look at you funny if you mentioned “water efficiency.”
- The test [to get your state master plumber license] required wiping a 4-inch lead pipe joint for a water closet bend.
- How about programming in Fortran punch cards!
- I drew in ink with a manual fill quill pen on paper when I started my first job. Boss was too cheap to buy Radiograph for almost a year.
- My first plumbing design was done on Autocad Version 1.2. It did not even have polylines at that time!
- The smell of ammonia blueprints filled the air.
- Making backgrounds for plumbing and mechanical plans on a light table.
- After drawing on mylar and linen for 10 or so years, we began the pinbar layered drawing system. You needed to use vacuum printer to be sure the drawing layers were kept in alignment.
- When I started in the industry, no-hub was the new joining method and PVC wasn’t allowed by code.
- My first CAD system was VersaCAD, which at time was better than AutoCAD. Two workstations with software and one eight pen plotter were $28,000. The hard drive was a separate Winchester device as large as a phonograph turntable.
- Does anybody remember ink on vellum and KROY lettering? Or 2H lead (snap!)?
Can You Help?
The following recent discussion posts need input. Click on one of the following if you can offer some expert advice.
- Does an outdoor gas regulator vent pipe need to be pressure tested?
- What is the best way to provide an estimate of the acidity level of condensate discharge from dehumidifiers in a facility using RO water to grow plants?
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